Configuring The Switch For Ssh Authentication - HP ProCurve 6400cl Series Access Security Manual

Configuring Secure Shell (SSH)
Configuring the Switch for SSH Operation
C a u t i o n
Note
7-18
Protect your private key file from access by anyone other than yourself. If
someone can access your private key file, they can then penetrate SSH security
on the switch by appearing to be you.
SSH does not protect the switch from unauthorized access via the web
interface, Telnet, SNMP, or the serial port. While web and Telnet access can
be restricted by the use of passwords local to the switch, if you are unsure of
the security this provides, you may want to disable web-based and/or Telnet
access (no web-management and no telnet). If you need to increase SNMP
security, you should use SNMP version 3 only. If you need to increase the
security of your web interface see the section on SSL. Another security
measure is to use the Authorized IP Managers feature described in the switch's
Management and Configuration Guide. To protect against unauthorized
access to the serial port (and the Clear button, which removes local password
protection), keep physical access to the switch restricted to authorized per­
sonnel.

5. Configuring the Switch for SSH Authentication

Note that all methods in this section result in authentication of the switch's
public key by an SSH client. However, only Option B, below results in the
switch also authenticating the client's public key. Also, for a more detailed
discussion of the topics in this section, refer to "Further Information on SSH
Client Public-Key Authentication" on page 7-22
Hewlett-Packard recommends that you always assign a Manager-Level
(enable) password to the switch. Without this level of protection, any user
with Telnet, web, or serial port access to the switch can change the switch's
configuration. Also, if you configure only an Operator password, entering
the Operator password through telnet, web, ssh or serial port access enables
full manager privileges. See "1. Assigning a Local Login (Operator) and
Enable (Manager) Password" on page 7-9.
Option A: Configuring SSH Access for Password-Only SSH
Authentication. When configured with this option, the switch uses its pub­
lic key to authenticate itself to a client, but uses only passwords for client
authentication.